Overbooked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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overbooked
[oʊvərˈbʊkt ]
Definition
travel industry
Overbooked refers to a situation where more reservations are accepted than there are available resources, such as seats on an airplane or rooms in a hotel. This practice is often used by airlines and hotels to compensate for expected no-shows.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The flight was overbooked, so some passengers were bumped to the next flight.
- We arrived at the hotel only to find out that they were overbooked and had no room for us.
- Due to the overbooked train, many travelers had to stand for the duration of the journey.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Economic Impact
- In the airline industry, overbooking is common practice to compensate for no-shows, with studies showing a balance achieved between profits and customer satisfaction.
- This practice often leads to compensation claims and customer dissatisfaction when a booked flight cannot accommodate all passengers.
Pop Culture
- Various TV shows and movies depict the chaos of overbooking, highlighting the comedic and stressful situations it creates, envisioning characters having to share a room or a car unexpectedly.
- Reality shows about travel and hospitality often feature scenarios involving overbooking, adding tension and excitement to the narrative.
Psychology
- The feeling of being overbooked can lead to anxiety, which may be exacerbated by pressure to fulfill commitments.
- Cognitive overload occurs when too many tasks or events are scheduled at once, leading to decreased productivity and increased stress.
Education
- In educational settings, overbooking can refer to scheduling more students for a class than available seats, influencing learning environments.
- Schools may overbook extracurricular activities to gauge interest, sometimes causing logistical issues in accommodating all participants.
Origin of 'overbooked'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'overbooked' combines 'over,' implying excess, and 'booked,' referring to reservations.
- It gained popularity in the 1980s as travel and service industries began experiencing higher demand.
The term 'overbooked' is derived from the prefix 'over-', denoting excess, combined with the past participle of the verb 'book'. The word 'book' in this context comes from the Old English 'bōc', which referred to a written document or record. The usage of 'book' in the context of making reservations dates back to the mid-20th century, coinciding with the growth of the travel and hospitality industries. As businesses sought to maximize their profits, they began adopting overbooking strategies to counteract the financial impact of last-minute cancellations and no-shows. Today, 'overbooked' is widely recognized and often discussed in relation to travel inconvenience and customer service issues.